Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered a link between the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and improved survival among patients at stage 2 colon cancer. The duration of life of patients increased, regardless of their age or degree of risk.

The results were published in «Cancer» magazine.

According to the American Cancer Society, 95,000 Americans have this year will be diagnosed with colon cancer, making it the third most common in men and women among cancers. In addition, he is one of the leading causes of mortality due to the development of cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy has long been used in the fight against colon cancer in the later stages. However, its benefits for patients at stage 2 previously remained unknown, and it is only recommended in cases where patients have a high risk of recurrence.

Over the years, the study included an analysis of the state of health of patients at stage 2, but had not focused on it. But this time scientists have considered the largest group of people diagnosed with colon cancer at this stage of its development, analyzed the data about the health of 153 110 patients from the National Cancer Data Base.

The study showed that patients who were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy had better survival compared with those who did not pass. In some cases, the duration of their lives was for a few years longer.

Found the relationship is important for future studies aimed at understanding the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of patients at stage 2 colon cancer. scientists will also have to identify specific subgroups of patients who can benefit from it the greatest benefit.